A P-plater clocked driving double the speed limit in Fairy Meadow on Saturday allegedly told police he was racing home after a family member had died.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 19-year-old was detected doing 161km/h in an 80km/h zone as he drove north along Memorial Drive about 9.40am, according to Wollongong Highway Patrol.
An officer noted the alleged speeding incident happened immediately after a heavy downpour on a wet road.
"The driver indicated to police that the reason he was speeding was because someone in his family had died and he was in a hurry to get there," Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said.
The teen's licence was suspended on the spot, and he was issued with a notice to attend Wollongong Local Court charged with driving at a speed dangerous.
Read more Illawarra court and crime stories here.
To read more stories, download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.